Below is a list of frequently asked questions. If you can not find the answer you are looking for, please contact us.
PAYMENT:
1) What methods of payment are accepted?
2) Do I need to pay for the course up front?
3) Can I pay online?
4) How can make the payment from overseas?
COURSES:
5) What’s included in the value of the course?
6) Are meals provided?
7) I can’t swim. Do you need to be able to swim to take the course?
8) Where can I find the pricing on the website?
9) Where are the classes held?
10) What courses are mandatory working aboard?
11) What’s the diference between the CBSP (BST) and CBSN (STCW)?
12) Is the HUET training compulsory in Brazil?
13) Can I obtain a license to become an able seaman in Brazil?
14) What documents are needed to enroll in the courses?
CERTIFICATES:
15) How long does it take for certificates to be issued?
16) I need my certificate urgently. Can I pay a urgency fee?
17) I live overseas, can I have my certificate mailed?
18) During the certificate approval period, how I can prove that I have completed the course?
19) What happens if I fail the course?
20) What happens if I’m unable to attend the course?
21) Do you provide a card?
22) Are the courses OPITO approved?
23) I have an OPITO course, can I board vessels in Brazil?
24) Are the certificates valid overseas?
SPECIAL CASES:
25) Can the courses be held aboard vessels or in my company?
26) Can the course be performed in English? Or do I need to know portuguese?
27) Do you provide accommodation?
28) Can I receive a confirmation of enrollment for visa requirements?
PAYMENT
1) What methods of payment are accepted?
Cash, bank transfer, bank deposit and credit card. Checks are not accepted for security reasons.
2) Do I need to pay for the course up front?
We can enroll students prior to payment. However, priority will be given to students that have paid in advance.
3) Can I pay online?
We do not accept online payments via the website. We do accept paypal, but will invoice on demand.
4) How can make the payment from overseas?
Bank transfer or paypal are preferred. Both may incur fees.
COURSES
5) What’s included in the value of the course?
Shelter provides students with a digital handbook to take home and a printed one for use in classes, personal protection equipment, transport to and from the training center, coffee break and lunch in practical training days for BST and STCW. For the full list of benefits, please visit our benefits page.
6) Are meals provided?
7) I can’t swim. Do you need to be able to swim to take the course?
You don’t have to know how to swim. All participants are provided with life-vests and we have a team of life-guards and divers ready to assist in case of emergencies.
8) Where can I find the pricing on the website?
At the moment we only display pricing for promotions and special offers. We don’t have pricing on all courses displayed on the website. Please contact us for prices.
9) Where are the classes held?
All classes are held in our classrooms in Rio de Janeiro and Santos, Brazil. For the address and maps please see our locations. The transport to and from the training center is done by bus and included in the pricing.
10) What courses are mandatory working aboard?
The BST is mandatory for anyone who wants to board offshore vessels for more than 72 hours. Many companies require it even for short boarding periods.
11) What’s the diference between the CBSP (BST) and CBSN (STCW)?
The BST (called CBSP in Brazil) is mandatory for working aboard platforms and offshore oil rigs in Brazil. The STCW (called CBSN in Brazil) is for working aboard cruise ships.
12) Is the HUET training compulsory in Brazil?
The HUET (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training) is not required by the Brazilian Maritime Authority. Nonetheless, it can be required by companies that use helicopters to access distant oil rigs in the pre-salt area.
13) Can I obtain a license to become an able seaman in Brazil?
Shelter does not provide courses in order to obtain the license to become an able seaman. This is exclusive to the Brazilian Navy. We do provide extension and advanced training required for officers, such as the SSO and CSO.
14) What documents are needed to enroll in the courses?
Documents vary form course to course. These are normally: ID for Brazilians or Passport for foreigners, proof of address, medical certificate clearing for exercises, school certificate or proof of completion of basic education or higher and 3×4 photograph.
These documents must be handed physically or scanned and emailed prior to the start of the course.
These documents must be handed physically or scanned and emailed prior to the start of the course.
CERTIFICATES
15) How long does it take for certificates to be issued?
The certificates have to be approved by the Brazilian Maritime Authority (DPC) and can take 30 days or more to be issued.
16) I need my certificate urgently. Can I pay a urgency fee?
The Brazilian Maritime Authority does not have an urgency procedure. As such, all certificates are treated equally regardless of urgency.
We can issue a statement which is valid for boarding for up to 90 days.
We can issue a statement which is valid for boarding for up to 90 days.
17) I live overseas, can I have my certificate mailed?
Yes, we can mail certificates overseas. We recommend registered mail or private postal services. This can be arranged and paid for during or after your course.
18) During the certificate approval period, how I can prove that I have completed the course?
After approval, students may request at any time a provisional declaration that proves they successfully concluded the course. This can be used as a substitute until the original certificate is returned by the Navy.
19) What happens if I fail the course?
The course is divided into two parts: practical and theoretical. The student who fails any part will have to retake the part of the course they failed.
20) What happens if I’m unable to attend the course?
The student must have 90% attendance throughout the course. The student who does not have 90% presence will not be able to take the test.
21) Do you provide a card?
The card can be purchased separately after passing the course. Check the current rate at reception or contact us.
22) Are the courses OPITO approved?
No, Shelter does not have OPITO approval. The OPITO courses are not recognized in Brazil.
23) I have an OPITO course, can I board vessels in Brazil?
The Brazilian Maritime Authority (Brazilian Navy) does not recognize OPITO courses. Therefore, anyone holding a BOSIET certificate is required to take the BST here in Brazil. On the other hand, the BST is recognized by IMO (International Maritime Organization), and therefore valid worldwide.
24) Are the certificates valid overseas?
Courses approved by Brazilian Maritime Authority (Brazilian Navy) are recognized by IMO (International Maritime Organization) and valid worldwide. Other courses may vary from country to country.
SPECIAL CASES
25) Can the courses be held aboard vessels or in my company?
Yes, but depending on the location the hiring party may have to pay the travel expenses. Please contact us for more information.
26) Can the course be performed in English? Or do I need to know portuguese?
All courses are conducted in Portuguese. If a translator is required, the cost must be paid for separately. We can perform English classes for >10 students.
27) Do you provide accommodation?
No. Shelter does not have any type of lodging. All accommodation is the responsibility of the student or hiring company. We have some nearby partners who offer discounts for our students.
28) Can I receive a confirmation of enrollment for visa requirements?
Shelter can provide you with a confirmation of enrollment only after full payment. We cannot guarantee that our confirmation of enrollment is accepted as a valid document for visa purposes.
